§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the sustained high levels of unemployment, he will introduce legislation allowing for payment of unemployment benefit for 18 months instead of 12 months; and what he estimates the net cost would be, after taking account of savings related to conducting the means test.
§ Mr. OrmeI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to introduce such legislation, which would involve additional expenditure of the order of £45 million a year net.